One in five Scots earn less than Living Wage

Deborah Punshon

According to KPMG’s annual report, 20 per cent of working Scots make less than the voluntary Living Wage, one per cent more than the previous year.

But, in the UK, Scotland has one of the lowest proportion of employees paid below the Living Wage, second only to the South East (21 per cent) and joint with London (20 per cent).

Jenny Stewart, head of infrastructure and government and spokesperson for Living Wage at KPMG in Scotland said: “It is disappointing to see an increase in the number of people being paid below the Living Wage.

“With the cost of living still high, the squeeze on household finances remains acute. “The reality for many is very difficult.

“The figures released show that there is still more to be done if we are to eradicate in-work poverty.

“However, the past year has seen some notable achievements, with an increase from 60 accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland in 2014 to more than 370 today.

“This increase will no doubt be reflected in future published figures.”

The Living Wage, set by the Living Wage Foundation, has just risen from £7.85 an hour to £8.25.